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Darien High School students will be the first to head back, with classes starting at 7:40 a.m. Middlesex students head back at 7:55 a.m. Tokeneke, Royle and Hindley Schools start their days at 8:25 a.m. Ox Ridge and Holmes Schools begin at 9 a.m.

Kindergarten students will have a special orientation session with their parents Monday before heading to school full-time with first- through fifth-graders starting Tuesday. Parents should have received information on the specifics in the mail; If not, contact your school’s principal.

The Transportation Department released Darien’s school bus schedules last week online and through the local media. If you are still unsure of your bus schedule, each school’s schedule is available at the
Darien Public Schools website.

Local school nurses offered parents a “checklist” in preparation for the back-to-school season, as recommended by the National Association of School Nurses.

All parents should make sure that their children's vaccines are up-to-date, and that their children know proper hygiene techniques to prevent the spread of common diseases and infections. Other ways to help prevent common illnesses include making sure your child keeps a regular sleep schedule, wears comfortable and seasonally-appropriate clothing.

Experts also recommend keeping open lines of communication with your children, so that they feel comfortable telling you about health problems, bullying and other issues.

For parents of children with specific health issues, the Nurses Association recommends meeting with nurses at the beginning of the school year to introduce yourself and your child. At the meeting you can go over specific plans for managing your child’s issues, give permission to contact a child’s doctor and offer channels to reach you in case of emergencies.

“Parents should talk to their school nurse and be involved in their child’s health and wellness at school,” said NASN President Linda Davis-Alldritt. “Every child deserves a school nurse every day, all day. And every parent deserves to feel their child’s safety and well-being are a school’s top priority.”

Local and state law enforcement groups urge drivers to be careful on Darien’s roads, especially around school buses. Nearly one-third of child pedestrian fatalities occur during walks home from school, according to the Connecticut State Police. Drivers face a $465 fine for passing a school bus, from either direction, when its stop bar is displayed.

“Police remind all drivers to be especially vigilant watching for pedestrians during before- and after-school hours,” State Police Lt. Paul Vance said in a news release.